What exactly was happening? What should I do?

[caleblanc]

I recently had chest pain,left shoulder & arm pain,numb and tingling fingertips on left hand,dizziness,fatigue,blood pressure 151/102. The following day BP still high but down and other symptoms subsided. EKG says septal infarct. What exactly was happening?

[kenkeith]

Your valves leak and usually it is mitral valve oneway pass from upper chamber to the lower chamber and aorta is the oneway pass from the ventricle to the body system.  These two valve are most vulnerable because they are under more pressure.  Some of the blood leaks back into the chamber rather than pumped out into circulation. A "1"  leaky valve is mild and not considered medically significant.  A "2" is not very serious, but it should be watched. A "3" to "4" could betgin to show symptoms such as shortness of breath, possible chest pains, etc.

Did the echo provide any information regarding your cardiac output.  That usually is represented by a calculation of the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat.  Normal is an ejection fraction (EF) of 50 t0 70%.  If there has been an infract (dead heart cells), the wall movement would be inparied and the EF would be less than normal if singificant.  

An EKG is not a very good source to rely on for any infarct....better with an echo. You blood pressure should be treated because that can cause the heart to increase in size...did your echo provide information regarding you left ventricle dimensions (wall and chamber)?

Thanks for your question and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond. Take care,

Ken

If youy have information printing the results of the echo that would be helpful.

[caleblanc]

That EKG was done the next day when I went to Dr. and told of my symptoms. Since this I was sent to a cardiologist who did chemical stress test and echocardiogram. Stress test was ok,echo says 2 leaky valves. Told they are at a 2 and no treatment necessary until they become a 4,they will check them yearly.

[erijon]

The EKG says you had a heart attack affecting the wall between the chambers of the heart. When was the EKG done and why? Are you or were you already at a hospital?

In any case, you have had enough significant symptoms to be seen by the ER, if you have not sought treatment yet you should do it as soon as possible.